One of the most precious letters I received was from a Kindermusik mom who has since moved out of the area:
"Dear Jeanette,
I thought I would write down our family experience with Kindermusik. I remember starting Tori when she was about 6 months old. I really enjoyed the program and would go home everyday and play the cd and do the activities with her so her dad could see how great it was. I remember she loved the activity of being pulled on a towel, laundry basket, or swinging in a blanket. We learned all the songs on all the cds because we listened in the car whenever we were going somewhere. We made good friends with the other moms in the class and their children. In fact, we started a playgroup and mom's night out and our group is still together and in Kindermusik. We've lost a few members due to moves and added siblings too. We still go to each others kids birthday parties and even have holiday get togethers and our oldest children are going to be turning 5 soon.
When Tori and I advanced to the Our time level, I wasn't sure if i was going to stay with it because Tori didn't seem to want to do some of the activities. I talked to you about it and you suggested that we continue and that she was getting alot out of it even though it doesn't look like it. Running around is normal for the toddler age. You were right.
Tori was almost 3 when she tried the Confetti Days over the summer and she did really well.
She graduated into the program where mom didn't go in, she was ready, I'm not sure i was. I missed it. She wasn't with her friends she was always with anymore but she made new ones. All our children develop at different times and in different ways. She has now been enrolled in the Young Child class and will soon be finishing Young child 2. She can actually read music and play the glockenspiel. She also recently started singing in the lollypop chorus as you suggested and she loves it. I wish there were more children in the chorus though. Next year she will take Young Child 3 & 4 during Kindergarten and will begin Piano lessons in 1st grade.
Tori's brother Christopher started Kindermusik when he was 6 months old and he used to sing to the music in class. He used to make all the mom's laugh because he would sing AHHHH to the words of the songs and stop singing when the song stopped. Christopher loves music. He is now 3 and ready to move up to the Imagine that level.
It's been great to watch the different children grow with the music. Some children start the class glued to mom or dad's lap crying and half way through the semester they will be smiling, laughing, and running around. Some children start out running around and end up settling down and participating in the different activities.
"What is important in our class is that you, the parent, are engaging with your child." Arriving on time is also very important. Coming into the class when everyone is seated and not being there to begin the hello song can cause a little anxiety for the child. Waiting until after the class to talk to the other parents or teacher is best and can build friendships.
We are very pleased with our experience with Kindermusik and can't imagine it not being a part of our daily lives. We still listen to the cds at home and in the car and know most of the words to all the songs. Thank you Miss Jeanette for making this such a wonderful time of sharing with our children and I know I speak for many parents.
Sincerely,
Gail S "
